EASE Activity Report 2019

2019, what a year! In the past twelve months, we have witnessed a big leap forward for energy storage. Just a few years ago, energy storage was looked at with curiosity and, in some corners, scepticism: could this “new kid on the block” demonstrate an added value to the system? We can now say: yes, it can. Energy storage is now recognised by policymakers and industry as a central element of the energy transition.

Naturally, EASE aims to capitalise on this positive momentum by doubling down on our efforts to have the role of energy storage recognised at the local, national, and European level. The Clean Energy Package will be implemented in 2020 across all EU Member States, so EASE will carefully watch the process and support decisionmakers in implementing the storage-related provisions. And, of course, 2020 will be the year of the European Green Deal, the ambitious plan from the new EU Commission President von der Leyen to green Europe. EASE fully supports the EU’s efforts to achieve a net-zero emissions power system by 2050, and endorses raising the 2030 greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets. We believe energy storage can play an important role in the European Green Deal, which is why we will focus in 2020 on discussions with policymakers at EU and Member State level on how storage can help achieve these ambitious aims.